I can think of three possible problems:

 Your voltage regulator may be faulty

 There may be a bad connection in your charging system

 There may be a wiring problem

The cheapest to deal with is a bad connection. Trace all the wires
connected to the back of the alternator (helps if you have a service
book that includes a wiring diagram) through the engine compartment
and make certain none of them are loose. After several years, the
connectors used can lose tension or oxidize; lots of problems can
be fixed just by wiggling the connectors or unplugging and replugging
them. Also, if you have a wiring diagram, verify that the alternator
is connected correctly.

While you're doing this, look at the wiring; the insulation may have
cracked, worn away, or broken at some point.

I think your car may be old enough to have an external regulator; if
so, try replacing it. It'll be a small box, probably about 4cm x 5cm
x 10cm, and some of the wires from the alternator will run to it.

It wouldn't hurt to borrow a battery charger and charge the battery
overnight; it may be so low it's loading the charging sytem down a
great deal and causing the low voltage reading.

As far as the Auto Electrician is concerned, do you happen to have
a male friend about 2m tall and at least 100kg? Have him drive you
to the shop...  (That shouldn't be necessary, but it can be can be
an effective way of dealing with shops which regard women as ripoff
targets.)

Gary

Did you replace the regulator? Check that the small connection to the
battery positive terminal is still correctly attached.

All the best, Peter.

700/900/90 Register Keeper,
Volvo Owners Club (UK).

A "sleeper" that is very Volvo-specific is that the alternator needs the
ground wire that runs from the alternator case to the engine block. Unlike
most alternators the Volvo alternator is mounted on rubber bushings and
won't work at all unless that ground is in good condition. That's something
you can check yourself - there will be a single black wire, about 3/16 inch
in diameter, that should go from a stud on the back of the alternator to the
engine block. Make sure the wire is there and both ends are too tight to
move when you wiggle the wire at each end. If you see no wire on the
alternator, look below the alternator for the loose end of the wire... it
may have been overlooked.

Mike

Mel:

The problem is beyond me, but at least in the USA and Canada  as well as in
France most techs will treat a woman the same as a man.  It's best to deal
with a guy who is the owner, chain places could care less in most cases, you
are 'just a skirt' while to a guy who owns the place and has made the heavy
investment in equipment and training modern auto repair requires you are a
customer...be well aware your looks will be discussed and gee, tell me when
a guy goes to the beauty salon or such places the same is not true...

When I worked in a garage in the 70's we did have nudie calanders but only
in the back room.  The owner was quite adament that all customers were to be
treated with respect.

If a shop owner has a different opinion today he would seem to lack the
inteligence required to repair modern automobiles.

OTOH you do live in OZ....